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Sunderland will make an early January transfer swoop in the perpetual hunt for a left back, with Fiorentina's Marcos Alonso due to arrive on an initial loan.
The former Real Madrid youngster only joined the Florence club last summer after a spell in England with Bolton Wanderers, but has struggled to secure a first team berth with the high-flying Violas, who currently sit fourth in Serie A.
The reports come from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, so can be accepted as being highly reliable.
The report suggests the deal is at such an advanced stage that the player is already in England for his medical, with a view to officially joining the club on January 1st.
Alonso probably isn't a stand-out name, but it would likely be a pretty astute signing. At just 22, he is only really starting to find his feet in his career and relegation wouldn't necessarily make him out of the club's reach in the summer.
He also arrives with a good knowledge of the English game and with a fluent command of the English language, so the appeal is obvious. Many Sunderland fans may remember his excellent performances against us for Bolton in the FA Cup last season, too.
It's another body through the door and in very much a problem position. Well done to Sunderland for acting so decisively in the build-up to January.